Yesterday we spent the day together. It was bliss. You, me, and 6 kids under 8.
2 pools and 2 noodles and 2 life vests. 2 mommies holding everyone up in the water, watching our kids paddle away, make big waves, jump freely and fearlessly off of the edge.
It allowed us to also jump freely off of the edge, that place that makes you pull your hair out, raise your voice more than you’d like, cry a little in the bathroom, stare blankly out the kitchen window while you wash another dish. We knew that our day was filled with activity. That just having the kids together would sustain them. That we didn’t have 3 kids each wandering aimlessly around our respective houses, whining for food and drinks and hugs that didn’t quite fulfill them enough to stop the whining for food and drinks and anything that would postpone the boredom for just a few more minutes.
We took an extra loop on the way home from the pool to ensure that our littlest ones were fast asleep and would seamlessly transfer to long naps in cool, dark bedrooms. We passed a house for sale just a block away from my home. It was nicely shaded by pretty trees and had a deep backyard. I envisioned Jamis riding his bike over to play with B. And you walking the kids down for a BBQ in my backyard, or an afternoon movie. We’d chat and cook and tinker with our iPhones in the kitchen–like we did last night–while the cousins played happily together, bounced on the trampoline, made a mess of the toys–like they did last night.
2 mommies and 6 kids is easier than 1 mommy and 3 kids any day. A great part of me wishes that my dream could somehow become reality. That you didn’t love the town you choose to call home. That you didn’t have so many roots there. That making a move to my backyard were easier. That making a move to be that close to family were practical.
So many times–after blissful days like yesterday–I ask why isn’t it? I stomp my feet on the ground like a frustrated child who can’t understand all the reasons WHY even though I’m an adult and I know the answers.
I’m silly, really, because an hour apart is nothing compared to what it once was–when I started my family in Florida. So I thank my lucky stars that our move from Naples brought us to Connecticut instead of California. But dammit, I still wish I could shrink that hour to just a few minutes, and that you’d move in to the cute, little house down the street. I mean really, everyone moves here for the schools and shit. And we did just get named one of the top ten best U.S. cities for families… Whaddaya say? Should I wander into a few open houses for you this weekend?
Sisters. Cousins. Family. There’s nothing like it. If our days aren’t meant to be spent together, than I don’t know what I’m really doing here. Our roots are with one another more than any town or job or climate. It might take 32 years for a daughter or sister or mother to get here where I am, but I’m so glad I’ve arrived.
And you, dear sister, I love you with my heart full of hope. The future is ours. Together. And one day, yes one day, we will share an office, working and writing side by side. Because Momalom is an enterprise all to itself, and our sisterhood backs that up.
Dear Readers…I realize this is a bit of a personal post–something between sisters, as it were–but did you ever just a have a day that made your heart so full and your mind so happy and make you long and wish and dream for your life to be just a little bit different so you could feel like that more often? Yesterday was such a day. And yes, I realize how very lucky we are to have one another. To have family. It’s days like this that make me also wish my brother and HIS three kids lived closer. Can you imagine 9 kids under 8 splashing and laughing in the pool? I think we’d need our own personal lifeguard, and a bigger trampoline…
Read More in Sarah Writes, sisters, three kids, three kids (six kids)
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Beautiful. I want this for my sister and I. She has been living here in my town for a few months, but she’ll be headed to Australia in a few months. Just thinking about it makes my heart break. I will miss her more than she or I could’ve ever known.
Tears in my eyes as I read this post. Here’s to sisters, cousins and happiness. Lovely post.
Oh what I wouldn’t give to be closer to my sister. I hate, with heart wrenching pain, how far apart we are. And yet, jobs are good. Her husband would melt in Texas, mine would whither in the cold. And, dads are important too. But to live near my sister…
I don’t have a sibling, but I do have friends I absolutely cherish, and I could’ve written this to them. It’s both lovely and hearthbreaking – these moments we share that are so full of joy, and the ones in between replete with longing.
For reasons I can’t say here, shouldn’t say here, this post has me in tears. You are both such lovely, lovely ladies. How about you both move to Canada?
I dont’t have a sister, but I always wanted one. I have one sibling, a brother, and he is much younger, so we’ve never had a bond that allowed us to be friends. It’s great reading about your happy extended family.
Twin minivans. Cousins on the couch. Waving goodbye and in the next breath wondering when we can do it all again. how about the lake? Friday?
This was such a beautiful post. Sometimes there is nothing better than sharing time with family.
It’s a blessing that you DO feel this way, as far as I see it. Many siblings do not share the same closeness.
And if I’m being honest I wish I lived on the same street as my youngest older brother and his family. Oh the times we would have… :)
Lovely post.
I know just how you feel. We’re wanting to move closer to my sisters and their families. If we could just sell our damn house. Having family, cousins running around, sounds like heaven to me.
Oh, what a dream. What a beautiful thing it would be! And it’s good to entertain these thoughts, these daydreams – because it makes you realize how much you love one another, how lucky you are to live just an hour apart.
What a sweet tribute to the bond you share and the longing you have for closer quarters. Happy for you two, a little jealous, and smiling throughout this whole post.
I’m in tears. Literally. I have friends who are like sisters to me. Whose children are like my nieces and nephews. They live hundreds of miles away and spending time with them is rare and precious and all kinds of amazing and heart overflowing. I wish it could be that way always. I understand that yearning so, so much. Such a beautiful, heart felt post. Thank you.
I’m just left smiling. For the two of you and your six littles. You are so lucky to have one another near OR far. I know you know that but I just had to say it because I’m so damn envious. Maybe one day there will be a street that works for the two of you. For now, hop in your cars more often and share more days like this together (and with us!)
I am so envious – I wish I was just an hour away from my sister and my parents and our extended family. Glad you are able to get together and have such blissful days.
That’s so cool. And I understand it, believe me, since my dearest friend in the world moved away right after Ben was born to 3 hours away. And my closest other friend, whose son is Ben’s BFF, lives almost an hour away now. But here’s the thing about South Florida…it takes almost an hour to get almost anywhere b/c of the damned traffic, so really, in a way, it’s almost as if we all live close by anyway! =)
This post brought tears to my eyes. My sister was my very best friend. We lived 10 hours from each other but were together whenever we could be. Our children are the best of friends. I lost my sister to cancer last year. Though she is farther away from me now than ever before, I know she is still with me. Thank you for my trip down memory lane and the chance to shed a few tears in memory of my amazing relationship with my sister. I’m glad you cherish yours so.
Oh how I love to think of my two beautiful daughters laughing and playing and sharing and talking and generally having a wonderful time with each other and their own beautiful children. Thanks, Peach, for sending me on my way through the day with a smile on my face and in my heart. xoxo
Weepy. Now I am weepy. We’re only an hour away from our cousins, but toying with moving far away. When I read something like this I’m ready to jettison all moving plans! I don’t have a sister, but I have some friends who are like sisters, their kids like my kids. When we’re together (rarely, since we’re scattered around the country), I never want it to end.
This post was so moving. Thanks for writing it.
Um, can I be your sister too? I’d even have another kid, just to fit in.
What a sweet love-letter…. and a day you’ll never forget. As the years go by, I bet your children will just become more intertwined, even if you’re in adjacent states.
Sisters are the ABSOLUTE best, and this post just made me miss mine so much more…my separation is six hours and nine hours, and I am continually in the foot-stomping, cursing mode that you describe. I wish it were as simple as the days that my little sister was only an arm-stretch away, in her matching twin bed, and our older sister was down the hall. I miss that…I miss them, and I enjoy so much living vicariously through your beautiful relationship!!!
My husband and I are attempting to move to another world (liberal, ocean-centric, urban Boston to conservative, suburban, land-locked western Pennsylvania) for exactly the reason you wrote about today: to be closer to my brother & raise our kids together. Sometimes I get really nervous about moving to an area I wouldn’t choose if it were just me. But your post perfectly describes the reason I’d give up my happy urban life-to exchange it for the bliss of siblings, family and the gangly limbs of little cousins playing together. Thanks for reading my mind.
My sister is 20 minutes away and I thought I had it bad. :)
This was a lovely post.
This is lovely. And you have every right to stomp and wish you were closer! And do so, while recognizing that you are lucky to be only an hour apart – though an hour with all those little kids is like the dog years to people years thing!
Siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles – it’s a great gift for all of you, not without its price tag in fatigue and compromise and logistical headaches and yes, distance to traverse – but such a lovely gift, nonetheless.
Our family is 1,000 miles away. Sixteen hours by car. Three by plane. I understand, oh, boy, do I.
Oh I so wish I was next door to my sister! Three thousand miles separate us and I am constantly trying to figure out ways to be back there because I know she’ll never come to California. Whenever I’m back, I look at houses down the block from hers wishing, hoping, trying to figure out how to make it happen.
We are, as you know, two sisters with three kids each …..
So glad you two had such a wonderful day.
What a wonderfully written post. I love that you shared something so close to your heart.
I could completely relate. My family is 6 hours away and when I visit them or they us, I feel overwhelmed with that joy of a wonderful time. And then I sit and wish they were closer to us, wish that I could have my way. And yet know at the same time it just won’t be.
My sister is single but she has my parents close by, 20 min drive. And I swear she doesn’t realize just how lucky she is sometimes. I know she does, but gosh what it would be like to have that bliss all the time.
I know this is an old(ish) post, but oddly it just came through my reader. So sweet. I want sisters!!! {said while stomping my feet}
My sister and I live a mere 20 minutes away, and get together as often as naps and toddler attitudes permit. And yet, for as close as we live, I would love to have her next door, the five kids wandering from one house to the next…
Here’s to many more days for you 8 to share!